MALTA – Kevin McArtor was pleasantly surprised Wednesday afternoon when he learned through a Facebook friend that Jonamac Orchard was the subject of a made-up story in the national humor newspaper, The Onion.

With the headline “Haunted Corn Maze Owner Has Another Conversation With Zombie No. 2 About Not Touching,” The Onion discusses what’s gone wrong at a haunted corn maze attraction.

“After receiving several complaints from patrons regarding unwanted touching in the haunted corn maze attraction, Jonamac Orchard owner Stuart Parrish reportedly sat down with the actor portraying Zombie No. 2 for a second conversation about the maze’s no-contact policy.”

McArtor, who runs Jonamac Orchard with other family members, said there is no “Stuart Parrish” affiliated with the orchard’s haunted corn maze, which the orchard has operated since 2000.

Although The Onion’s satirical stories sometimes are mistaken for legitimate reporting, he said no one had made that mistake about this story.

“I was pleased first of all to find out that it was nice, it wasn’t something that reflected badly on us, and anybody reading it [on The Onion’s website] understands what it is,” McArtor said.

The corn maze at Jonamac Orchard will be open Friday and Saturday, as well as Oct. 25 and 26, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.